Lavatory
In modern usage, the term ‘lavatory’ (UK pronunciation: ‘lavah-tree’) describes a room or cubicle containing sanitaryware or other receptacles for the passing of human waste. The sanitaryware will usually be connected to a public drainage system.
When used to describe a room, a lavatory may also contain other sanitaryware, such as a bath, shower, urinal or bidet. Other ancillary facilities may typically include wash-hand basins, hot air dryers, towels and mirrors.
The term lavatory is sometimes used synonymously:
- Toilet
- WC (although this more correctly refers to the water closet sanitaryware itself)
- Bathroom (if it contains a bath)
- Loo
- Washroom
- Ladies / gents
- Sanitary convenience
- Powder room
Historically, a lavatory was a cistern or trough where the inmates of monastic establishments could wash their hands and faces, as well as their surplices and vestments.
See Lavatorium.
In southern Germany, lavatories took on grander functions that resembled those of baptistries. They would be either square or octagonal chambers to the side of a cloister and would have a series of water troughs for washing arranged around a fountain located centrally in the room.
The term lavatory was also given to a ‘piscina’ – a drain that was originally connected to Roman aqueducts but which later was applied to a stone basin near a church altar.
Legal requirements for sanitary conveniences, washing facilities and bathrooms are set out in Part G of the building regulations, with solutions to common situations described in Approved Document G (Sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency).
NB The Scottish Building Standards, Part I. Technical Handbook – Domestic, Appendix A Defined Terms, defines a toilet: ‘…an enclosed part of a storey which contains a watercloset, a waterless closet or a urinal, which are properly installed for use.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Approved Document G.
- Bidet.
- Cistern.
- Earth closet.
- ECA Water Scheme.
- Garderobe.
- Gas fired toilet.
- Inclusive design.
- Lavatorium.
- Macerating toilet systems.
- Passive water efficiency measures.
- Sanitary accommodation.
- Sanitaryware.
- Shared toilet facilities.
- Shower.
- Sink.
- Solid surface wash troughs.
- Types of sanitary appliances.
- Urinal.
- Wall hung toilet.
- Water closet.
- Wet room.
Featured articles and news
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.
Comments
Quite informative. It’s good to know more about the lavatory from reading this piece of content before we finally proceed with the construction. Thanks!